CHINI KA RAUZA

 CHINI KA RAUZA

At a distance of 9 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station and 1 km from Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb, Chini ka Rauza is a funerary monument located on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra.

 

Chini ka Rauza is the tomb of Afzal Khan who was a Persian poet during the reign of Jahangir. Later he became the wazir during Shah Jahan's reign. The tomb was built by him in 1635 AD. Khan died in Lahore in 1639 AD and was buried here at Agra. The name is derived from two Persian words Chini and Rauza that means glazed tiles tomb.

Also known as Chinese Tomb, Chini-ka-Rauza is considered a milestone in Indo-Persian architecture, as it is the very first building in India that has been exclusively decorated by the glazed tile works. The decoration is prominent on facade and exteriors. Each side of this square tomb building is about 79 feet in length. The central chamber is octagonal in shape with eight arched recesses including four pentagonal arches and four square openings in all four directions. This central chamber is inter-connected to the four square chambers in the corners with the side halls. The upper part of the tomb has been so constructed to give a double storeyed effect to the tomb building. The shallow dome crowning the building has inverted lotus and a kalash finial on its top and pinnacles on all the four corners.

 

Originally, the monument had high walls surrounding it, two main gateways in North and South, two three-storeyed octagonal towers and a ghat near the riverbank. However, only the ruins of the main tomb with a simple square plan and the ornamentation is not survived.

 

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

 

Highlights of the tour

• We are professional and speak multiple languages.

• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.

• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.

• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.

 

Contact US

 

Phone: +91 9958675122

Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

JAMA MASJID- AGRA

JAMA MASJID- AGRA

At a distance of 4.5 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station, Jama Masjid is situated just opposite to the Agra Fort. It is also popularly known as the Jami Masjid or Friday Mosque and is one of the well known Agra tourist places.

Jama Masjid was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite daughter Jahanara Begum’s wish, at the cost of Rs 5 lakhs and took a period of 5 years in construction and was completed in 1649 AD. It is one of the largest mosques in India. The red sandstone structure was built in a typical Mughal style. It rests on a high plinth and is approached by staircase. It consists of a spacious elevated courtyard bordered by arched porticoes to the north and south, with a fountain at its centre. The eastern end was once also bordered by an arched portico and a grand entrance, but those were demolished by the British in 1857 while building the railway line to Agra.

The prayer hall occupies the western end of the courtyard and consists of a long rectangular structure, divided into five sections and crowned by three large domes. All the domes have inverted lotus and kalash finials on the top. Connecting the prayer hall to the courtyard are five archways, of which the central one is framed by a large iwan portico and a white marble facade with Persian calligraphy. Two short slender minarets, decorated in a zigzag pattern, once flanked the central archway, but the right side minaret was destroyed. A series of chhatris line the top of the facade.
The interiors of the western wall have a beautiful mihrab and pulpit in white marble. The Persian inscription in white marble inlaid with black stone on the archway of the central portal is in praise of Jahanara and Shah Jahan. It is said that once surrounded by a market place called Tripolia set in an octagonal (Muthamman) Chowk that was built between the Delhi Gate and the Jama Masjid. But, it was later destroyed in 1871-73 to acquire space for laying down the railway tracks for the city.
Every Friday, large number of Muslim devotees come here to offer their weekly prayers.

An unforgettable India experience!. – See more at: https://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour

• We are professional and speak multiple languages.
• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.
• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.
• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.
Contact US
Phone: +91 9958675122
Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

AKBARI MAHAL - AGRA FORT

AKBARI MAHAL - AGRA FORT

At a distance of 4.5 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station and 2.5 km from Taj Mahal, Akbari Mahal or Akbar Palace is situated between Jahangiri Mahal and Bengali Burj inside the Agra Fort.
Currently in partial ruined state, the Akbari Mahal is a testimony presenting the gigantic imperial courts that have the spacious chambers. Akbari Palace was once a huge palace complex which was used for residential purposes. Built between 1565-69, it had a large stone paved courtyard enclosed on all sides by suites and chambers. Only the river-side apartments have now survived.

The Palace was designed and constructed in such a manner that whichever entrance the women used to enter the palace they were protected by purdah. The security and Purdah system was well designed in the palace. There was a great Assembly hall with a high ceiling on the lower storey, which can still be seen but the upper storey is completely in ruins. It also had a hall with triple opening on the riverside.
Akbar's Harem was housed in this palace. Historian Abul Fazal recorded that Akbar 'made a large enclosure with fine buildings inside, where he reposes. Though there are more than 5000 women. He was given each a separate apartment'. Chaste women and trustworthy officers were appointed in the service of the Harem. It was carefully guarded. Women were paid monthly salaries ranging from rupees 1028 to 1610 maid-servants were kept in large numbers for cleaning, lighting and other duties of the household. They received salaries from rupees 2 to 51. All this was well organized and kept in perfect order.
The Bengali Burj to its southeast has a spacious square hall with arched aisles. It has a domed ceiling and chevron design grace the nook shafts of the arches. The Akbari Baoli near Burj is actually a well with five rows of rooms around it and steps leading to the water. 

An unforgettable India experience!. - See more at: http://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour

• We are professional and speak multiple languages.
• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.
• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.
• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.

Contact US
Phone: +91 9958675122
Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

PEARL MOSQUE - AGRA FORT

PEARL MOSQUE - AGRA FORT

At a distance of 4.5 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station and 2.5 km from Taj Mahal, the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque is situated to the north of Diwan-i-Am complex inside the Agra Fort.
Moti Masjid was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan during 1648-54 AD. It was built as a place of worship for the royal members of the court. A mosque that shines like a pearl in a moonlit night, hence the name Pearl Mosque, Moti Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in the city. The glorious mosque took nearly four years to complete and is built in a style that is typical to Shah Jahan's era of reign.

The masjid stands on the ground that slopes from east to west to the north of Diwan-i-Am complex. The structure contains three huge domes of high architecture value. These three Hindu style domed kiosks have been constructed using white marble and the rest of the exterior building made out of red sandstone.
The mosque has twenty-one bays of which three have vaulted soffits. In t2he center of the court of the mosque, a marble tank is situated and a sundial made on an octagonal marble pillar standing in one corner. The western wall has an inlaid mihrab that is beautifully carved with six niches corresponding to the arches. The main prayer chamber has lattice screens made of marble on either side to separate the portions from the main chamber hall. These portions were used by women to offer their prayers. Above the parapet there are seven chhatris beautifully designed with an octagonal tower along with domed shape marble structures at each corner.
It has three main gates out of which the eastern gate is the grandest entrance, intricately designed. Both the northern and southern gateways consist of ornamental designs and are crowned by three square chhatris. The main gateways are built of red sandstone exterior and marble interior and can be approached by staircase.
It is currently closed for visitors, but can be viewed from the outside.

An unforgettable India experience!. - See more at: http://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour

• We are professional and speak multiple languages.
• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.
• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.
• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.

 
Contact US
Phone: +91 9958675122
Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

DIWAN-I-KHAS - AGRA FORT

DIWAN-I-KHAS - AGRA FORT

At a distance of 4.5 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station and 2.5 km from Taj Mahal, the Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience is situated backside of the Machchhi Bhawan inside the Agra Fort.

Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience was built by Shah Jahan in the year 1635 AD. It was used by the emperor for holding cultural events and meetings important guests such as kings, ambassadors and nobles in private and to deal with important affairs of the state.

It consists of two large halls, an outer columned hall and inner closed hall, both connected by three archways. The outer hall is covered by a flat roof supported on multifoil arches springing from exquisitely fine marble pillars. The marble pillars are inlaid with semi-precious stones and colored flower patterns. The hall is exquisitely decorated with carvings and flat wooden ceiling which used to be covered with gold and silver leaves to imitate the rays of the sun. The hall represents the royal accesses and thus the interior hall has Persian inscriptions inlaid in black stone. The hall was remarkable for the presence of the celebrated Takht-i-Taus (Peacock Throne) which was made in 1634 AD and placed here. Later it was shifted to Delhi after the construction of the Red Fort in 1648.

The Inner hall, about which Abdul Hamid Lahauri recorded as Tambi Khana, has Shah-Nashin alcoves with a raised seat for the Emperor. The walls in between the two halls have beautiful jalis, beautifully designed and finished with floral patterns.

An unforgettable India experience!. - See more at: http://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour :

• We are professional and speak multiple languages.
• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.
• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.
• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.

Contact US

Phone: +91 9958675122
Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

AKBAR'S TOMB

AKBAR'S TOMB

At a distance of 9.5 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station, Akbar's Tomb is located at Sikandra in the suburbs of Agra, on the Mathura road. It is among the top places to visit in Agra.

The Tomb of Akbar is an important Mughal architectural masterpiece built in 1605-1613 in Sikandra. It houses the mortal remains of the greatest Mughal Emperor Akbar. The construction of this tomb was started in 1600 by Emperor Akbar himself. After the death of Akbar in 1605, the tomb was completed by his son Jahangir in 1613. However, during the reign of Aurangzeb Alamgir, Rebellious Jats under Raja Ram Jat, ransacked the intricate tomb, plundered and looted all the beautiful gold, jewels, silver and carpets. Extensive repairs were carried out by the British under Lord Curzon.

The tomb of Akbar can be entered through an elegant southern gateway similar to Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri. The gateway leads into a huge garden, which is arranged in a Charbagh style. The glorious gateway is beautifully decorated with floral and geometrical patterns inlaid on white and colored marbles. The garden leads to the emperor's tomb.

The shape of tomb is pyramidal and consists of five storeys. The cenotaph is at a level below the ground level. The entire tomb is constructed of red sandstone but the top storey is constructed in white marble. The ground floor is surrounded by cloisters except at the centre on the southern side. These cloisters are divided by massive arches and piers divisible into many bays. The next three levels have an arcaded verandah, with arcades and cluster of kiosks on each side. Some of the kiosks in second storey have marble pyramidal roofs.

The top most storey is entirely made up of white marble. It has a square court, which is open to sky. The central courtyard is enclosed in all the sides by beautiful arches and piers and divided into bays. At the centre of the courtyard lies a square platform, over which a white marble cenotaph is laid out. This cenotaph is profusely carved with floral patterns.

Entry Fee: Rs. 15 for Indians and Rs. 110 for Foreigners. Foreign visitors, who purchase Agra Development Authority's Toll tax ticket of Rs.500 for Taj Mahal, need not to purchase any other toll tax ticket, if he/she visits the monuments like Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's Tomb, Itimad-ud-Daulah's tomb on the same day.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM.
An unforgettable India experience!. - See more at: http://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour :

• We are professional and speak multiple languages.
• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.
• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.
• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.

Contact US

Phone: +91 9958675122
Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's tomb (Hindustani: Humayun ka maqbara) is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in Delhi, India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum (also known as Haji Begum), in 1569-70, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son, Sayyid Muhammad, Persian architects chosen by her. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. and is located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, India, close to the Dina-panah Citadel, also known as Purana Qila (Old Fort), that Humayun found in 1533. It was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and since then has undergone extensive restoration work, which is complete. Besides the main tomb enclosure of Humayun, several smaller monuments dot the pathway leading up to it, from the main entrance in the West, including one that even pre-dates the main tomb itself, by twenty years; it is the tomb complex of Isa Khan Niyazi, an Afghan noble in Sher Shah Suri's court of the Suri dynasty, who fought against the Mughals, constructed in 1547 CE.

 

The complex encompasses the main tomb of the Emperor Humayun, which houses the graves of Empress Bega Begum , Hamida Begum, and also Dara Shikoh, great-great-grandson of Humayun and son of the later Emperor Shah Jahan, as well as numerous other subsequent Mughals, including Emperor Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi Ul-Darjat, Rafi Ud-Daulat, Muhammad Kam Bakhsh and Alamgir II. It represented a leap in Mughal architecture, and together with its accomplished Charbagh garden, typical of Persian gardens, but never seen before in India, it set a precedent for subsequent Mughal architecture. It is seen as a clear departure from the fairly modest mausoleum of his father, the first Mughal Emperor, Babur, called Bagh-e Babur (Gardens of Babur) in Kabul (Afghanistan). Though the latter was the first Emperor to start the tradition of being buried in a paradise garden. Modelled on Gur-e Amir, the tomb of his ancestor and Asia's conqueror Timur in Samarkand, it created a precedent for future Mughal architecture of royal mausolea, which reached its zenith with the Taj Mahal, at Agra.

The site was chosen on the banks of Yamuna river, due to its proximity to Nizamuddin Dargah, the mausoleum of the celebrated Sufi saint of Delhi, Nizamuddin Auliya, who was much revered by the rulers of Delhi, and whose residence, Chilla Nizamuddin Auliya lies just north-east of the tomb. In later Mughal history, the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar took refuge here, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, along with three princes, and was captured by Captain Hodson before being exiled to Rangoon. At the time of the Slave Dynasty this land was under the 'KiloKheri Fort' which was capital of Sultan Kequbad, son of Nasiruddin (1268–1287).

The Tombs of Battashewala Complex lie in the buffer zone of the World Heritage Site of the Humayun Tomb Complex; the two complexes are separated by a small road but enclosed within their own separate compound walls.

An unforgettable India experience!. - See more at: http://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour

• We are professional and speak multiple languages.

• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.

• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.

• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.

Contact US

Phone: +91 9958675122

Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

Red Fort

Red Fort

Red Fort is a historic fort in the city of Delhi in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty for nearly 200 years, until 1856. It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political center of the Mughal state and the setting for events critically impacting the region.

Constructed in 1639 by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his fortified capital Shahjahanabad, the Red Fort is named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone and is adjacent to the older Salimgarh Fort, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546 AD. The imperial apartments consist of a row of pavilions, connected by a water channel known as the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Bihisht). The fort complex is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity under Shah Jahan, and although the palace was planned according to Islamic prototypes, each pavilion contains architectural elements typical of Mughal buildings that reflect a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions.[3] The Red Fort's innovative architectural style, including its garden design, influenced later buildings and gardens in Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir, Braj, Rohilkhand and elsewhere.

The fort was plundered of its artwork and jewels during Nadir Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire in 1747. Most of the fort's precious marble structures were subsequently destroyed by the British following the Revolt of 1857. The forts's defensive walls were largely spared, and the fortress was subsequently used as a garrison. The Red Fort was also the site where the British put the last Mughal Emperor on trial before exiling him to Yangon in 1858.
Every year on the Independence day of India (15 August), the Prime Minister hoists the Indian "tricolor flag" at the main gate of the fort and delivers a nationally broadcast speech from its ramparts.
It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Red Fort Complex.
An unforgettable India experience!. - See more at: http://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour 

 • We are professional and speak multiple languages.
• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.
• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.
• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.
Contact US
Phone: +91 9958675122
Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid, Delhi

The Masjid-i Jahān-Numā (lit. the 'World-reflecting Mosque'), commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi, is one of the largest mosques in India.
It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656 at a cost of 1 million rupees, and was inaugurated by an Imam from Bukhara, present-day Uzbekistan. The mosque was completed in 1656 AD with three great gates, four towers and two 40 meters high minarets constructed with strips of red sandstone and white marble. The courtyard can accommodate more than 25,000 people. There are three domes on the terrace which are surrounded by the two minarets. On the floor, a total of 899 black borders are marked for worshippers. The architectural plan of Badshahi Masjid, built by Shah Jahan's son Aurangzeb at Lahore, Pakistan, is similar to the Jama Masjid.

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Jama Masjid between 1644 and 1656. It was constructed by more than 5000 workers. It was originally called Masjid-i-Jahan Numa, meaning 'mosque commanding view of the world'. The construction was done under the supervision of Saadullah Khan, wazir (or prime minister) during Shah Jahan's reign. The cost of the construction at the time was one million Rupees.[1] Shah Jahan also built the Taj Mahal, at Agra and the Red Fort in New Delhi, which stands opposite the Jama Masjid.
The Jama Masjid was completed in 1656 AD (1066 AH). The mosque was inaugurated by an Imam Bukhari, a mullah from Bukhara, Uzbekistan, on 23 July 1656, on the invitation from Shah Jahan. About 25,000 people can pray in the courtyard at a time and it is sometimes regarded as India's largest mosque. The mosque is commonly called "Jama" which means Friday.
After the British victory in the Revolt of 1857, they confiscated the mosque and stationed their soldiers there. They also wanted to destroy the mosque as an act of punishment to the city. But due to opposition faced, the demolition was not done.
The iconic mosque is one of the last monuments built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. After the construction of the monument in 1656, it remained the royal mosque of the emperors until the end of the Mughal period.
During 1948, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah VII was asked for a donation of ₹75,000 to repair one-fourth of the mosque floor. The Nizam instead sanctioned ₹3 lakh, stating that the remaining three-fourths of the mosque should not look old.

An unforgettable India experience!. - See more at: http://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour :

• We are professional and speak multiple languages.
• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.
• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.
• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.


Contact US
Phone: +91 9958675122
Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com

The Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

People from all around the world may not have heard of Agra, but everyone knows the beautiful ivory white-marble mausoleum, Taj Mahal, as the icon of love. This wonder of the world is the perfect example of the intricacy and brilliance of Persian and Mughal architecture. It was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Today, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it continues to hold the same magical appeal, attracting approximately eight million tourists a year. Viewing of the Taj Mahal is usually from sunrise to sunset, except Fridays. Night viewing of the Taj Mahal is only allowed on five nights of the month: the night of the full moon and two days before and after.

Interesting Facts Of Taj Mahal

• Before his accession to the throne, Shah Jahan was popularly known as Prince Khurram.
• Shah Jahan fell in love with the beautiful Arjumand Bano Begum and married her, making her his third wife.
• Arjumand Bano Begum was christened by Shah Jahan as Mumtaz Mahal, meaning the “Chosen One Of The Palace” or “Jewel of the Palace”.
• Shah Jahan lost Mumtaz Mahal, when she died giving birth to their 14h child.
• For the transportation of the construction materials, more than 1,000 elephants were employed.
• As many as 28 different varieties of semi-precious and precious stones were used to adorn the Taj with exquisite inlay work.
• Depending on what time of the day it is and whether or not there’s moon at night, Taj Mahal appears to be of different color every time. Some even believe that this changing pattern of colors depict different moods of a woman.
• Passages from Quran have been used as decorative elements throughout the complex.
• On the sides of the actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, 99 names of Allah can be found as calligraphic inscriptions.
• Taj Mahal was built in stages, with the plinth and the tomb taking up roughly 15 years. Building of minarets, mosque, jawab, and gateway took additional 5 years to be completed.
• Different types of marbles used in construction of Taj Mahal were brought over from many different regions & countries: Rajasthan, Punjab, China, Tibet, Afghanistan, Srilanka, & Arabia.
• Many precious stones and Lapis Lazuli (a semi-precious stone) were ripped off from its walls by the Britishers during the Indian rebellion of 1857.
• Taj Mahal attracts 2-4 million visitors annually with over 200,000 from overseas.

An unforgettable India experience!. - See more at: http://www.letsgoindiatours.com

Highlights of the tour :
• We are professional and speak multiple languages.
• We know all the routes which we offer you and will not have any problem in reaching one monument to another.
• We are friendly and happy to share the Indian culture with you.
• We make sure that you visit all the monuments as per itinerary.

Contact US
Phone: +91 9958675122
Email: ramesh@letsgoindiatours.com